An Illinois judge has kicked former President Donald Trump off the presidential ballot, saying he was guilty of engaging in insurrection and thus ineligible to hold office.
Cook County Circuit Judge Tracie Porter issued the surprise ruling Wednesday evening but stayed it until Friday.
“The court also realizes the magnitude of this decision and its impact on the upcoming primary Illinois elections,” Judge Porter wrote. “The Illinois State Board of Election shall remove Donald J. Trump from the ballot for the General Primary Election on March 19, 2024, or cause any votes cast for him to be suppressed.”
Judge Porter relied heavily on the prior ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, which she said was “compelling.”
That ruling was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, which is widely expected to reject Colorado’s move, which would moot Judge Porter’s ruling.